|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Green Building Design for Residential Houses

In the Philippines

Alignay, Adrian G.
Arbis, John Paul
Bautista, Eunice Angela L.

RES100-4 B1
Mapa Institute of Technology
December 2014

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Chapter 1
I.

Introduction

A. Background of the study

Green building also known as green construction or sustainable building refers to a
structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout
a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and
demolition. In other words, green building design involves finding the balance between
homebuilding and the sustainable environment. This requires close cooperation of the design team,
the architects, the engineers, and the client at all project stages. The Green Building practice
expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability,
and comfort.
A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus
on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable
design and green architecture. Sustainability may be defined as meeting the needs of present
generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Although
some green building programs don't address the issue of the retrofitting existing homes, others do,
especially through public schemes for energy efficient refurbishment. Green construction
principles can easily be applied to retrofit work as well as new construction.
B. Statement of the Problem
This study aims to determine the Green Building design for residential houses here in the
Philippines. Particularly, the researchers seek to answer the following questions:
1. What is Green Building Design project?
2. What is the purpose of this Green Building design project?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Green Building design Project?
4. What are the benefits of Green Building design in Residential Houses here in the
Philippines.

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

5. Is there a significant relationship between the Green Building and the economy of the
Philippines?

II.

Objectives of the Study

Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human
health and natural environment by:
1.

Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

2.

Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity

3.

Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

4.

Reduce the cost and payoff.

III.

Significance of the Study

This paper discussed the Green Building design project for residential houses here in the

Philippines. The results of this study can be made as a learning model or paradigm for those who
are pursuing an environment-friendly buildings to be constructed. This study can be made as a
model and as comprehensive report about the current status of green building in the Philippines
through the data going to be presented in Chapter 4. Specifically, this study is significant because:
1. As mentioned, this study may serve as a status report as to what is the status of green
building design in the Philippines. The nation could benefit from this study (as a status
report) seeing the nation specializes in constructing environment friendly, energy
efficiency, water efficiency, waste reduction, and many more. Thus, this paper may also
bring to light unforeseen problem regarding the hazards that might happen.
2. This paper can contribute in the fields of Engineering and education. This study can be
beneficial to students of future generations regarding the acquisition of knowledge,
especially in the fields of Engineering and education. Students doing technical papers or
pursuing fields within the disciplines of Engineering and education can benefit from this
study, as study provides facts, data, and pieces of information that can support various
theories (such as the ones presented in this paper), and other facts, data, or pieces of
information.

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

3. Connected with the reason already mentioned above, this study can serve as a guide not
only for readers but to those who are casually seeking knowledge. This paper may also
contribute to researches that are being done on a larger scale. In other words, this paper can
also serve not only as a guide in engineering research, but also in society-as a guide in
large-scale researches.

IV.

Scope and Limitations

This paper studies and discusses the Green Building design project for residential houses

here in the Philippines. This paper intends to discuss the possible result of this project that might
change the entire nation for this environmental-friendly project. This paper discusses factors
surrounding the effects of green nature to houses. The researchers and this paper would give
answer/s to the questions presented in this papers statement of the problem and give facts, data,
and pieces of information derived from researching, surveying, and various forms of statistical
treatments that may support the answer/s given by the paper. This paper is mostly constructed on
the basis of answering the questions presented in the statement of the problem with the help of the
theories presented in this papers theoretical framework. This paper would also be discussing facts
and pieces of information in the papers definition of terms and review of related literature about
the factors and terminologies being discussed by the paper.
The study is limited or focused only in the residential house design, and to an extent, the
field of engineering. The data going to be used and is going to be presented mainly concerns the
preservation of the planet Earth. The paper, its research, and the results of this study are also only
limited to a sample of students/faculty in Mapua Institute of Technology specifically the
department of Civil Engineering. Some of the data going to be analyzed for the answering of the
questions presented in this papers statement of the problem is also limited to the answers of the
sample in the given survey questionnaires and these answers are not guaranteed to be of a hundred
percent honesty.

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

V.

Time Frame of the study

Figure 1: Time Frame of the Study

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction
Presented in this chapter is a synthesis of studies that supports the concept of green or
sustainable buildings. The idea of green or sustainable buildings is not new, yet the innovations
connected with the idea have evolved and developed over time. There are numerous literary works
that have been carried out on diverse viewpoints and effects of green building. Brief review of
related writings and studies is performed for a better understanding of the research.

I.

Review of Past Studies

A.

Local

Occupational and Skills Needs in the Green Building Sector in the Philippines
The PHILGBC and the ILO have led a study that looks to understand the abilities needs in
the green building sector in the Philippines. Leaders, both in the public and private sector need to
comprehend that matching the becoming enthusiasm toward greener structures with capable
aptitudes is vital to guarantee managed development of demand for green building. As of now,
green building is seen to have the highest potential to understand the greater part of the natural
difficulties in creating nations. In the study directed, most respondents show that there is a solid
need to understand the part structures play in the environment and the economy so as to give
significant attention regarding greening of new and existing structures. The BERDE Green
Building Rating System is an instrument to guide experts in outlining buildings and is key in
measuring ecological execution. It will require huge aptitudes update of professionals and of the
skilled and semi-skilled workforce. The study has observed that creating "specialist courses" for
both building experts and the labor force will assist encourage a smoother move to green collar
work.

Green Building in the Philippines

As per the Smart Market Report by the World Green Building Council (n.d.), The fastest
growing regional green building market is Asia, where the population of firms largely dedicated
to green building is expected to jump from 36% today to 73% in 2013.In the Philippines, there is
solid sign that green building will be the standard method for doing a business in the property area.
There will be constant interest for more green building items and services and aptitudes to help
6

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

positive development. In the Philippines, building owners gets to enhance their main concern by
taking a gander at green structures as a component of their center strategy. Green structures may
have higher introductory expenses; in any case, building managers recover their ventures because
of effective operations. As indicated by Rigoberto Santos (2011), Vice President of Megaworld
Corporation, The green initiative, in whatever form or fashion it takes does have a direct impact
in the operations."
With the positive development in green building present in the nation, there will be increase need
for preparing in the following areas: (1) usage of green building innovations for building experts;
(2) effective environmental communication for marketing professionals ; (3) crafting of effective
green building policy for legislators; (4) skills improvement for construction workers; (5) green
building certification (particularly BERDE).
Absence of suitable training response might be that as it may, prompt dislodging of workers due
to absence of abilities for green building. This situation can possibly block economic development.

B.

Foreign

Advantages of Green Buildings

Srinivas (2009) clarifies that green structures have had various benefits in India. These
benefits range from the tangible to the intangible. Tangible benefits include diminishment of power
consumption by 20%-40% and decrease of consumable water utilization by somewhere around
30% and 40%. On the other hand, intangible benefits include the health and security of the
building's occupants, better comfort for the occupants, and higher gainfulness for occupants, and
better practices from the very first day, by having the most recent strategies or innovations
included. Furr (2009) states that the benefits of green buildings incorporate lessened capital
ventures due to accessible motivators, decreased working expenses through diminished reduced
consumptions (energy and water use), lessened faculty expenses identified with increased
productivity and worker health, and expanded working income (higher rentals, increased
occupancy and net metering). Green structures have numerous focal points relating to the
environment, and in addition expenses included. The most underlined advantage may be viewed
as diminished energy and water utilization (Srinivas, 2009), while Furr (2009) emphasized the cost
advantages.

Limitations and Risks of Green Buildings

Anderson, Bidgood & Heady (2010) propose that green building development is not the
same as that of conventional buildings, however as with customary development, claims and
debate likewise go hand in hand with green projects. These authors also warn about possible green
7

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

litigation because of new inexperienced entrants into the green business and the unknown dangers.
Project owners are additionally confronted with risks; there may be a disappointment to meet the
obliged level of certificate (Hancock, n.d., online). This danger may be huge where an expansive
number of projects need to meet sustainability guidelines. Hancock further clarifies that for the
situation where the finished project neglects to be certify as green, there is a further hazard that the
holder does not meet his credit or incentive program; the economic implications may be
substantial(Anderson et al., 2010)
Bowers & Cohen (2009) contend that while numerous dangers of green building are
indistinguishable to the dangers of conventional construction, the expansion of
sustainability/efficiency benchmarks and the need to achieve a certain level of confirmation
change the playing field to some degree. They likewise stress the dangers facing design
professionals, in particular, as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-licensed
experts, designers are relied upon to show higher benchmarks of consideration, while tolerating
the way that plan disappointments may bring about rebelliousness with LEED certification of the
task. All the more essentially, risk may emerge from the disappointment of systems or parts to
perform satisfactorily over the structure's lifecycle. At present, almost every European nation, the
United States of America, Canada, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and South Africa have their own
particular green building rating system/tool. In 2007 the South African Property Owners
Association built a Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) to advance earth sustainable
practices. The GBCSA created a rating system called the Sustainable Building Assessment Tool
(SBAT). It was created to backing the improvement of a more reasonable assembled environment
inside South Africa's creating nation setting. The SBAT framework incorporates three sustainable
perspectives, specifically economic ((local economy, efficiency, adaptability and flexibility,
ongoing costs, capital costs); environmental (water, energy, waste, site, materials and
components); natural (water, vitality, waste, site, materials and segments), and social (occupant
comfort, inclusive environments, access to facilities, participation and control, education, health
and safety). Building ecological rating frameworks give a method for demonstrating a building
owner to what degree a building has been fruitful in gathering a normal level of execution in
different proclaimed criteria (Sebake, n.d.).

Uncovering the Meaning of Sustainability

Sustainable construction, as per Kunszt (2003), may be characterized as the creation and
responsible management of a healthy built environment based on resource efficient and ecological
principles. Harrison (2000) and the Environmental Stewardship Initiative (2002: online)
characterize sustainability as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their needs. This definition can be acknowledged as the most broadly
utilized one, and is contained in the Brundtland Report World Commission on Environment and
Development 1987 (Munier, 2005).very frequently the expressions "green" and "sustainable" are
8

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

utilized conversely. On the other hand, as per Kibert (2005), the expression "sustainability"
addresses the biological, social and financial issues of a building. This author further relates that
in 1994, the Conseil International du Btiment (CIB), an international construction research
company networking organization, characterized the term 'sustainable construction' as the
creation and operation of a healthy built environment, based on resource efficiency and ecological
design. RICS (2010), then again, gives a meaning of 'green building' asa economical building or
green building is a result of an outline rationality which concentrates on expanding the productivity
of resource use, including energy, water and materials, while decreasing building effects on human
wellbeing and the nature amid the building's life cycle, through better siting, configuration,
development, operation, upkeep and evacuation. Sustainable development is regularly befuddled
by some individuals who feel that ideas, for example, sustainable and development cant
coincide, while others believe that the words sustainable and development repudiate one
another (Munier, 2005). Munier alluded to the term sustainable development as a subjective
change including the economy, as well as institutional, social and natural changes. As per Mclntyre
& Ivanaj (2009), there are three mainstays of sustainability, specifically:
Economic (growth, market expansion, externalization of costs);
Social (basic human needs, equity, participation, social accountability), and
Ecological (carrying capacity, sustainable yield, resource conservation, biodiversity).

The Issue of Costs

There is a recognition that green structures are more expensive than traditional structures
(Kats, 2003). In a report led by Berman (2001), it was observed that among about six Californian
developers questioned in 2001, green structures cost 10-15% more than ordinary structures. Morris
& Matthiesen (2007) are of the supposition that there is no significant difference in average costs
of green buildings, as compared to non-green buildings. Srinivas (2009) proposes that the expense
of green structures can be somewhat higher than that of ordinary structures. He additionally
focuses on that this ought to be considered by method for an alternate ideal model; consequently,
the utilization of a pattern expense is needed. In any case, green buildings can bring about cash
funds for organizations, engineers and end-clients well beyond their capacity in ensuring the
earth (Oxford Business Group, 2008). The CEO of Emaar Dubai, Richard Rodriguez, substantiates
that construction expenses can be decreased extensively if best practices are utilized. At the point
when considering the expense of green buildings, both unmistakable and impalpable profits must
be considered. The tangible benefits, for example, the economic advantages are not instantly
noticeable. Nonetheless, the lifetime payback is much higher contrasted and that of traditional
buildings, which mostly gathers from operational expense funds, lessened carbon outflow credits
and conceivably higher rental or capital values. The intangible benefits, for example, social points
of interest are because of the positive effect of green buildings on the area environment.
9

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Additionally, because of better living up to expectations conditions, the productivity of inhabitants

increases and health problem issues diminish. Besides, green structures make a green corporate
image; a few companies are currently review Green Building Rating as an instrument to upgrade
marketability. (Roy & Gupta, n.d).

Building Materials
According to Berge (2000), resources, pollution and performance are the most general
criteria of building materials. Resources utilized by any development material incorporate all the
raw materials and energy utilized from its extraction to its transfer. Pollution in the above
connection alludes to all harmful emissions coming about because of the production of the
material, items used to clean and keep up the material, off-gassing from materials amid their
lifetime, and last incineration or landfilling.
Natural materials and processed materials perform in distinct way. Natural materials have
a tendency to be more complex and have distinctive positive qualities and, if accurately used, can
bring an addition to the building business by improving the execution of structures. At the point
when contrasted with traditional materials, routines and advances, natural materials can give
energy effectiveness in structures. Notwithstanding, May (2006) keeps up that not any sort of
common material will suit any circumstance. Suddell (2008) broadcasts that the development
business is the second biggest area that uses natural material. According to Albino, Balice &
Dangelio (2009), a green material is one that minimizes ecological effect all through the whole life
cycle. However, despite the fact that Baumann, Boons & Bragd (2002) are of the notion that there
is still disarray on a meaning of green materials, Attmann (2009) expresses that green materials
are:
Environmentally friendly;
Renewable;
Biodegradable, and
Recyclable.
Furthermore, Attmann (2009) maintains that green materials can be categorized into:
Biomaterials (biotic materials), e.g. straw, carbon,
Polyurethane;
Composites, e.g. concrete, brass;
Smart materials, e.g. carbon-fiber, and
10

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Nano-materials, e.g. nano-carbon tubing.

Kelly & Hunter (2009) propose the application of the three Rs (reduce, re-use and recycle) as
being helpful in selecting building materials.

II.

Review of Published Books

A.

Foreign

The First Green Buildings

As indicated by Freed (2008), the first truly green structures dated from AD 1. These were
the stone dwellings of the Anasazi Indians (Meinhold, 2009). The best samples of these structures
showed up around the 700s and comprised of apartment-house-style villages which had delightful
stone workmanship. Freed (2008) specified that the purpose behind considering those buildings as
green buildings was that the Anasazi comprehended the sun and heating, natural ventilation, how
to catch water, while the main materials utilized were stone, mud and wood. It is essential to note
that the 'Anasazi buildings' were totally free of toxic materials and were good to health.

Professionals and Contractors Involved In Green Buildings

With regards to sustainable development, Strong & Hemphill (2006) remark that built
environment experts are confronted with the test of addressing the needs of individuals and the
developing economy, while at the same time keeping up the nature, character and descendants of
the natural environment. Besides, they stretch that no one profession is more paramount than the
other; rather, great cooperation or teamwork is needed. As per the Associated General Contractors
of America (2007) contractors are imperative for the achievement of green projects.
A few contractors may be included in the deign process; notwithstanding, contractors
inclusion in executing a project is regularly constrained by the task conveyance system and the
agreement details. The Association further burdens that contractors can include skill in the event
that they are incorporated in the outline process. The contractors part on a green project can be
to:
Recycle and re-use construction and demolition debris;
Limit the utilization of dangerous materials on the jobsite;
Secure existing vegetation, give cleared trees or mulch for utilization on location;
11

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Settle on naturally friendly acquiring choices, and

Procure and introduce more energy-effective mechanical and electrical framework.
Be that as it may, Braganca (2007) shows that designers and contractors have a tendency
to support clear solutions. Regardless of the way that development has helped worldwide natural
issues (Kennedy et al., 2002) structures are even now being raised without considering the climatic
results. This can perhaps be ascribed to an absence of learning or furthermore, to fulfill the
fundamental human needs; individuals favor basic and less expensive structures.

Green-building trends
As indicated by Kibert (2008)), the trend towards green structures is as per the following:
there is fast entrance of the LEED-green building rating framework, and also expanded US Green
Building Council (USGBC) participation, private and open incentives, solid government authority
and an extension of state and nearby green building programs, in this manner exploiting green
building advantages and attaining advances in green building innovation. Moreover, Kibert (2008)
clarifies that like trends in green building, there are additionally boundaries, for example, financial
disparities, lacking research and the absence of mindfulness. The organization Frost and Sullivan's
(2010) late investigation of the South African green building business sector found that this market
is still in its early stages, however it has extraordinary potential for development. It expresses that
the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has encountered an average development
of 100% every year in its enrollment membership since 2008; this is altogether quicker than the
development rates experienced at the origin of the Green Building Council of Australia, on which
the GBCSA is displayed. Likewise, to date the GBCSA has had in excess of 2000 actively present
people (a large portion of whom are constructed environment experts) at their Green Star SA
Accredited Professional course. Four buildings have accomplished affirmation under the Green
Star SA rating framework, with another twenty-four enlisted for certification. Development in
enrollment and support rates demonstrates that the South African market is reacting great to greenbuilding activities.

Green building in Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius is a group of islands in the South West Indian Ocean, comprising
of the primary island of Mauritius, Rodrigues and a few external islands found at separations more
prominent than 350km from the fundamental island. The populace, assessed at 1.3 million,
contains Indo-Mauritians, individuals of blended European and African birthplace, and SinoMauritians. The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, with an aggregate zone of 1.969 square
kilometers, have a general populace thickness of 652 persons every square kilometer. Around 43%
12

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

of the area is distributed to agriculture, 25% is involved by built-up regions and 2% by public
roads. The remaining zone comprises of relinquished cane fields, woodlands, scrub land, meadows
and grazing lands, reservoirs and ponds, swamps and rocks. The greatest greenhouse gas emission
product is carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and in 2010 this added up to 3365 gigagram (Gg), with
a real effect on the nature. The energy business (1997gg), manufacturing (352gg), vehicle (845gg)
and residential (123gg) areas are the primary donors to the carbon dioxide outflow. This has
prompted more noteworthy accentuation on planning green structures (Central Statistics Office,
2009: 2). Building-development techniques for residential structures incorporate predominantly
structures with concrete block walls and concrete roofs (86%), concrete block walls and iron/tin
roofs (4%), iron/tin walls and roofs (8%), wood walls and iron/tin or shingle roofs (1%) or other
(1%. The accompanying "traditional" materials are still used to some degree: straw (utilized
generally as a part of roofs for style); stone (usually utilized for feel, for example, arrangement
dividers and balustrades of open patios, and for hardcore filling); timber boards delivered mainly,
and pulverized stoned (as a substitution for sand due to environment security laws).the taking after
"conventional" materials are additionally utilized as a part of the construction industry: blocks
made of fine stone (rather than bricks), cement (imported) and transported in iron sheets (called
profilage). The greater part of the inside finishes comprise of marble, vinyl flooring, parquet wood
flooring (all foreign made) and by regional standards delivered paint.
Since Mauritius is a tropical island, even in winter it gets enough daylight to support the
utilization of sunlight based energy (e.g. sun based water heater rather than electrical geysers) as
a manifestation of 'green building' item.

III.

Annotated Bibliography

Anderson, M.K., Bidgood, J.K. & Heady, E.J. 2010. Hidden legal risks of green buildings. Florida
Bar Journal, 84(3), pp. 35-41.
These authors warn about possible green litigation because of new inexperienced entrants
into the green market and the unknown risks.

Berge, B. 2000. The ecology of building materials. Oxford: Architectural Press.

Berge emphasized in this book the pollution which refers to all harmful emissions resulting
from the production of the material, products used to clean and maintain the material, offgassing from materials during their lifetime, and final incineration or landfilling.

13

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Freed, C.E. 2008. Green building & remodeling for dummies.

In this book, Freed mentioned that the reason for considering the first green buildings as
green buildings was that the Anasazi understood the different knowledge in natural ways
such as sun and heating, natural ventilation, how to capture water, while the only materials
used were stone, mud and wood, which were completely free of toxins and were healthy.

Kibert, C.J. 2008. Sustainable construction: Green building design and delivery.2nd Ed. New
York: Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Kibert explains in this book that similar to trends in green building, there are also barriers
such as financial discrepancies, insufficient research and the lack of awareness.

Mclntyre, J.R., Ivanaj, S. & Ivanaj, V. 2009. Multinational enterprises and the challenge of
sustainable development. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
According to the authors, there are three pillars of sustainability, namely: Economic which
is the growth, market expansion, externalization of costs; Social - basic human needs,
equity, participation, social accountability, and Ecological (carrying capacity, sustainable
yield, resource conservation, biodiversity).

Roy, T. & Gupta, A.K. n.d. Greenomics: Cost efficiency of buildings in India. [online].
http://www.joneslanglasalle.com/ResearchLevel1/research_greenomics_cost_efficiency_of_gree
n_buildings_in_india.pdf
This article summarizes the cost of green buildings, both tangible and intangible. Intangible
benefits of green buildings includes social advantages, are due to the positive impact of
green buildings on the neighborhood environment. The productivity of occupants increases
and health problems decrease.

Srinivas, S. 2009. Green buildings Benefits and impacts Proceedings of World Academy of
Science, Engineering & Technology, 19-21 March.
Srinivas provides some insights regarding the advantages of green buildings by explaining
the green-inspired structures that have had numerous benefits in India namely: reduction
of power consumption, reduction of potable water consumption health and safety of the

14

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

buildings occupants, better comfort for the occupants, and higher productivity for
occupants, and better practices.

Strong, W.A. & Hemphill, L.A. 2006. Sustainable development policy directory. Oxford: Blackwell
Publishing.
The book contains the authors giving attention to built-environment professionals who are
faced with the challenge of meeting the needs of people and the growing economy, while
simultaneously maintaining the nature, character and posterity of the natural environment.

Van Wyk, L. n.d. Mauritius Green Building Handbook Volume 1: Sustainable building versus
ecological building from: http:// researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/bitstream/10204/4965/1/Van%
20Wyk10_2010.pdf?
The author studies the green buildings in the Republic of Mauritius and how Mauritius
people utilize conventional materials in the construction industry such as blocks made of
fine stone (instead of bricks), cement and imported iron sheets.

Occupational and Skills Needs in the Green Building Sector in the Philippines:
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1792593
The study has observed that creating "specialist courses" for both building experts and the
labor force will assist encourage a smoother move to green collar work.

15

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

I.

Analytical Framework
To determine the
Green Building
design for residential
houses here in the
Philippines.

A recommendation to
become more aware of
the benefits of green
building especially with
its health benefits.

To reduce the overall

impact of the built
environment on
human health and
natural environment.

Green design's
advantages pertaining to
the environment, costs
involved, and reduced
energy and water use.

Online survey about

local green design for
residential houses and
review of related
literature

The use of Quantitative

research by statistical
gathering of data for
anlaysis

Figure 2: Analytical Framework

II.

Theoretical Framework

TITLE
Green Building
Design for
Residential
Houses in the
Philippines

VERIFICATION &
EVALUATION
Survey analysis
on an individual
perspective
towards green
building design
for residential
houses

Figure 3: Theoretical Framework

16

PROS AND
CONS
Advantages and
disadvantages of
Green Building
design for
residential
houses in the
Philippines

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

III.

Research Design

It is useful to consider the various research methodologies that have described as falling
within one or more general research categories: descriptive, associational, or intervention-type
studies. Descriptive studies describe a given state of affairs as fully and carefully as possible.
(Franklin 11)
In field research, the primary descriptive methodology is the survey, as when researchers
summarize the characteristics (abilities, preferences, behaviors, and so on) of individuals or groups
or (sometimes) physical environments (such as nature), or, as in some historical studies, changes
in any theses over time.
Descriptive research, in and of itself, however, is not very satisfying, since most researchers
want to have a more complete understanding of people and things. This requires a more detailed
analysis of the various aspects of phenomena and their interrelationships.
The study is quantitative in nature. Quantitative research is concerned with the numbers
and measurement, rather than words in the collection and analysis of data (HSC StudentNet, 2009).
Quantitative research usually seeks to establish causal relationships between two or more
variables, using statistical methods to test the strength and significance of the relationship.
The respondents of this study are the Civil Engineers, students, and people who live in the
residential areas.

IV.

Research Instrument

The researchers used the LEED and Green Building Codes; which would be very helpful in
order for the researchers to determine how the system works and will help to save the mother
Earth. The said code is standardized and has been developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
From water and energy use efficiency to location, the impact of materials used, and more, LEED
is intentionally designed to recognize buildings to go beyond minimum code compliance. While
this minimums will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, they should at the very least include the
most current version of the model energy code as a mandatory minimum for all buildings.

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|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

V.

Treatment of Data

What incentives would encourage you to purchase a Green Building or renovate your
house into a Green Building? Whole-Life Cycle Cost Saving:

Class
Intervals

Frequ
ency

X(Midpoints)

Fx

<CF

)
(

(
)

54.92

7-8

22

7.5

165

52

1.58

34.76

5-6

19

5.5

104.5

30

0.42

7.98

3-4

11

3.5

38.5

11

2.42

26.62
(
) =69.36

a.) Class Interval (k):

Measure of Central Tendencies

= 1 + 3.322

Mean: =

= 1 + 3.322(52) = .
Median:

b.) Determining the Range:

R = Highest Score Lowest Score

2611

1(

c.) Interval Size (c), class width:

19

=+ (

R = 7-3 = 4

52
2

308
52

3.35
64.42
(
)

= .

= .

<1
2

) = 4.5 +

) = .

Mode:

4
= = = 0.57
7

= +

= 6.5 +
18

(1)(22 19)
= .
(22 19) + (0)

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Measure of Variation
Mean Deviation: =

Variance (for a sample):

( )2
122.69
=
=
1
(52 1)
= .

( )

69.36
= .
52

Standard Deviation (for a sample):

( )2

=
= 2.41 =
1

What factor will cause you NOT to purchase a green building? Hardly to find green
contractor for renovation

Class
Intervals

Frequ
ency

X(Midpoints)

Fx

<CF

)
(

(
)

53.94

6-7

43

6.5

279.5

82

1.12

48.16

4-5

32

4.5

144

39

0.88

28.16

2-3

2.5

17.5

2.88

20.16

19

(
) =96.48

24.78
58.06
(
)

= .

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Mode:

Measure of Central Tendencies

Mean: =
Median:

=+ (
4139

1(

43

82
2

441
82

= .

= +

<1
2

= 5.5 +

) = 5.5 +

) = .

Measure of Variation
Mean Deviation: =

( )

96.48
= .
82

Variance (for a sample):

( )2
136.78
=
=
1
(82 1)
= .
2

Sample Standard Deviation (for a

sample):

= 1.69 = .

20

+
(1)(43 32)
= .
(43 32) + (43)

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

a.) = 4

= 30
=5

= 1.30

b.) : 5
: 5 (< 5).
c.) = 0.025
d.) 30: , was used.
e.) =

()

f.) =

(45)30
1.30

= 4.21

g.) Tabulated z-value = -1.96

h.) - The Null Hypothesis (HO) was rejected because the computed z-value
i.)
(-4.21) was outside the acceptance region. And the Alternative Hypothesis was
now accepted.
- Therefore, a green contractor can say that the average rating for the
criteria of Hardly to find Green Contractor for Renovation for the
question What factor will cause you NOT to purchase a green
building? is now lower.

21

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Chapter 4
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYIS
I.

Presentation
e. Increased property value

What incentives would encourage you to

purchase or renovate green building?
a. Whole-life cycle cost saving

Which feature of green building are you

willing to pay more to improve it?

b. Low utility bills

a. Energy efficiency and renewable energy

c. Taxes rebated
b. Water conservation

d. Emission reduction

c. Indoor environmental quality

22

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

d. Environmental preferable building

materials and other resources

What factor will cause you NOT to

purchase a green building?
a. Location

e. Waste reduction
b. Budget

f. Efficient use of landscape and minimum

possible damage to the earth

c. Market value

g. Use of recycled material in construction

and operations

d. No any green building around your living

area

h. Design buildings which will reduce

greenhouse effect and global warming

e. Hardly to find green contractor for

renovation

23

|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

II.

Analysis

From a scale of 1 Very Disinterested to 7- Very Interested, a Grouped Data table was
conducted for the criteria of Whole-Life Cycle Cost Saving for the question What incentives
would encourage you to purchase a Green Building or renovate your house into a Green Building?
The Mean or Average of the data was at 5.92. It is within the Class Interval # 2 wherein the
respondents who answered 5-Slightly Interested to 6-Interested. The Median of the responses was
at 5.29. The Mode was 7.5 which is in the Class Interval 3: respondents who answered with 7Very Interested. Based from the results, our respondents were interested in considering long-term
cost savings when buying a Green Building or renovating their house into a Green Building.
From a scale of 1 Very Much Disagree to 7- Very Much Agree, a Grouped Data table was
conducted for the criteria of Hardly to find Green Contractor for Renovation for the question
What factor will cause you NOT to purchase a green building? The Mean or Average of the data
was at 5.38, in between of the respondents who answered 5- Slightly Agree to 6- Agree. The
Median of the responses was at 5.55. The Mode was 6 which is in the Class Interval 3: respondents
who answered with 7- Very Much Agree. Based from the results, our respondents were agreeing
that today, it is rare to find a green contractor for building/renovating their house.
The average rating for the criteria of Hardly to find Green Contractor for Renovation for
the question What factor will cause you NOT to purchase a green building? based from a scale
of 1-Very Much Disagree to 7-Very Much Agree is Slightly Agree (5) with a standard deviation
of 1.30. If 30 civil engineering students had an average overall rating of 4, could a green contractor
say that the average rating for the criteria of Hardly to find Green Contractor for Renovation for
the question What factor will cause you NOT to purchase a green building? is now lower? A
0.025 level of significance was used.

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|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Chapter 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The characteristics of green buildings are energy-efficient, resource efficient and
environmentally responsible. The primary concern is to protect our planet with the aim of creating
a better and healthier environment for people. The results of this research indicated that various
authors pointed out that green buildings may be more costly at the outset, but they contribute to
long-term savings. This was confirmed by the majority of the survey respondents who stated that
green building materials are more durable than conventional materials, resulting in cost savings.
The literature pointed out that green buildings have many advantages pertaining to the
environment, as well as costs involved; the most emphasized advantage may be regarded as
reduced energy and water use this was confirmed by the survey respondents. The survey results
also showed that the prospects of green buildings are positive. Although green buildings are not
regarded as a totally new concept in the construction industry, both contractors and professionals
indicated that they still prefer conventional methods over green building materials.
Furthermore, although the survey results provided a clear indication that built-environment
stakeholders are fairly familiar with most green-building concepts and related acts, the results
showed that contractors are more familiar with conventional materials than green materials, and
that professionals do not have sufficient experience in green-building materials/concepts. It is
therefore recommended that:
Contractors familiarize themselves better with green-materials;
Professionals gain more experience in green-building concepts;
The results of this survey are based on perceptions of built environment stakeholders in
Mauritius and may differ somewhat from respondents elsewhere in the world. This creates an
opportunity for further research to obtain a wider perspective on the issue of green buildings
worldwide.

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|Green Building Design for Residential Houses in the Philippines

Global climate changes require that all people, especially built environment stakeholders,
become more aware of the benefits of green buildings to, among others, ease the burden on
electricity and water shortages and thereby ensuring a better life for future generations.

26